Hi everybody, with my next review I want to take you to a different time and read about the life of another young girl. This time, however, the book is meant for teenage readers. Be prepared to open your mind and take your time with this one…
Title: The hired girl
Author: Laura Amy Schlitz
Genre: Fiction – historical
Publication details: Walker Books; London, 2015
ISBN: 9780763678180 (Hardcover)
What this book is about: Fourteen-year-old Joan Skruggs yearns for a real life and true love. But her work in the family farm in Pennsylvania keeps her from seeking out her dreams. Over the summer of 1911, Joan pours her heart out into her diary as she ventures towards a new, better life for herself. Inspired by her grandmother’s journal, Newbery Medalist Laura Amy Schlitz brings her sharp wit and keen eye to early twentieth century America in a comedic tour de farce destined to become a modern classic.
My review: I really enjoyed this book once I got into it!! I learned quite a lot about how life was like in the early 1900’s for young girls from a farming background as well as those from high society. Seeing the other characters from young Joan’s perspective was quite entertaining and made this an enjoyable read. As this is a book meant for teenage readers, Laura Amy Schlitz has used some heavy themes here in servitude, feminism, religious disparities along with those of family and friendship. Despite this it’s quite a funny read with an interesting storyline. An author to watch out for as this title has the makings of becoming another modern classic!
My rating: 4 ⭐
Additional notes: This title was awarded the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction and the Sydney Taylor Book Award for Teen Readers in 2016, and nominated for the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction in 2016.
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